Safety c link



Nav. 17, 1925. 1 1,561,952 i i o. c. STAPLES y SAFETY 64.11111 Filed Oct. 13, 1924 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATE-r oFFICE.

OSCAR C.`STAPLES, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

SAFETY vc LINK.

Application, filed October 13, 1924. Serial No. 743,378.

- Each connecting rod includes a C link located between the pump jack and the pumping power and which may be disconnected to separate the connecting rod when it is desired to stop pumping a particular well. no provision is made in the links now in common for protecting the fingers and knuckles of the operator and as he must insert his hand in the link to grasp it, injury frequently results.

The object of my invention is primarily to provide a safety link having a hand grip which may be grasped by the operator without exposing any part of his hand to the rod connections which move inside of the link. y

Another important object is to reinforce the link and thus preclude breakage and distortion which is quite common with the links now in common use.

A furtherobject is to provide a link with a latch to prevent it from being detached unintentionally.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily under-- stood from a reading of the following specificati'on and by reference to the accompanying-drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation showing a link constructed in accordance with my invention connected in a pumping rod.

Fig.2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a link constructed in accordance with my invention and including a latch, and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings ythe numeral designates a C link having the usual shape. Along the closed side of the link is formed a radial lweb 411 which is merged from the vbody of the link and gradually reduces in thickness to its outer edge. In this web is provided a longitudinal opening 12 parallel to the body of the link and the outer edge rof the web. This opening isof such length and width as to freely admit the iingers and knuckles of the hand of the operator. That narrow portion 13 of the web lying outwardly of the opening'and contiguous thereto constitutes a hand grip by which the link may be grasped and held.

The web reinforces. and strengthens the link. At each end of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a iin 14 which is merged out of the web, as a continuation and curved around the ends of the link, its radius gradually decreasing until it vanishes into the hook 15 of the link. It will be seen that the plane of the fin is parallel to the pull of the rodV and defeats the tendency of the hook of the link to spread or elongate under an excessive load.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown another form in which the fin 14 at one end is shortened and merged into a rounded boss 16, the latter having an axial bore 17 which is continued through the bill of the hook to a shoulder 18 at the inner end of a counter bore 19. The head 20 of a latch bolt 21 engages the shoulder and is slidable in the bore 17 against the tension of a coiled spring 22 confined by a plug 23. The bolt extends through the bore 19 and its end is engaged in a seat 24 in the end of the opposite hook, thus closing the gap between the hooks.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the link 10 connected with the combination clamps A of two sections B and AC of a pumping rod. The section B is connected with the pumping power (not shown) while the section C is connected with the pump jack (not shown) at the well. The pumping rod is under more or less of aheavy load, according to the depth of the well and the length of the sucker rod. v

When it is desired to stop pumping a well it is customary to place a block of wood (not shown) between the adjacent clamp A and the knock-off post D. The block is placed upon the back stroke of the rod while the clamp is moving away from the post and thus, when the section B is moved forwardly on the return stroke the section G and its clamp A, remain stationary. This provides sufficient slack to free the clamp A of the section B in the link, and to take the load off of the link. I-Iowever the section B Will slide its clamp A forwardly in the link and in the C-link now in common use, the operation must loe dexterous to prevent injury to his hand.

By provision of the hand grip 13 and the opening 12 the operator is given a safe place on the link in which to place his hand and he may remove or disconnect the link with safety. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the bolt- Ql; must he displaced before the link can he disconnected, but this can be safely done With the other hand. The comloination of the hand grip and the reinforcing Web 1I and fins lei. is a very useful one and makes for a more eflicicnt and satisfying link. The fins take the greatest strain and prevent spreadingl or distortion of the link.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts as Well as modifications and alterations may he made Within the scope of the appended claims.

IV hat I claim, is:

l. A C link for pumping rods comprising a link body having a hook-shape formation at each end thereof and provided with a laterally projecting web having an openingtherein and a hand grip contiguous to the opening. l

2. A C link for pumping rods including a body, a reinforcing weh along one side of the body, a hand grip integral With Vthe web, and radial reinforcing fins at the ends of the hody.

3. A C link for pumping rods including a body, a reinforcing web along one side of the body having an elongated opening, a hand grip contiguous to the opening of the web, and radial reinforcing fins at ends of the body merged from the Web.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

osoan c. STAPLES. 

